Tarp Bag Anchor System

ABSTRACT

A cylindrical tarpaulin bag that provides a means to maintain its opening while placing contents in its interior cavity. The bag comprises an open first end and a closed second end. The opening includes a plurality of grommets for securing the rim of the opening to a ground structure using stakes, preventing movement as items are placed inside the bag. Handles are provided along the exterior of the bag, and the opening may be closed using an interlaced draw string around the rim. The device provides a means to anchor the bag opening to a base structure while contents are loaded therethrough, which is particularly useful when sweeping or raking leaves, refuse or other items into the bag along the ground.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/428,044 filed on Dec. 29, 2010, entitled “Tarp Bag Anchor System.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to containment bags with improved meansfor loading debris and other refuse. More specifically, the presentinvention relates to leaf collection bags with means to maintain theposition of the bag orifice when placing leaves and debris inside thebag cavity.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Leaf collecting and disposal is a seasonal task that requires ahomeowner or contractor to mulch or collect and remove large quantitiesof fallen leaves. This is particularly true in wooded areas with highquantities of deciduous trees, such as areas in the northeastern UnitedStates. Seasonal weather change causes trees to drop their leaves forthe winter, creating a bed of leaves on the ground. The leaves attractbugs and other pests if not attended to, as well as deprive theunderlying grass of much needed sunlight during winter months.

Common methods of leaf removal include collecting fallen leaves in largetrash bags by first raking them together, and then stuffing them intothe bags. This method can quickly become difficult and tedious usingtraditional trash bags, which are generally comprised of a thin plasticmaterial. The bag is easily torn by branches within the leaves, by thetools for collecting the leaves and by the shear bulk quantity of leavesplaced into the bag. Compounding the problem is the issue ofsimultaneously loading the bags using a rake and holding the bag open.This task can be especially difficult when the bag is empty or nearlyfull, as the bag shifts when empty and its contents leak out when full.The opening of the bag does not remain stationary as leaves are pushedtoward the bag, requiring the practitioner to bend over or otherwisesupport the opening of the bag as contents are loaded therein. This taskcan at times require two individuals, one to hold the bag open and theother to force the leaves into the opening.

An improved method and means of collecting leaves is required, one thatis capable of maintaining the position of its opening while contents areloaded therein. The bag itself must be made of sufficient materialstrength that its contents do not easily cause a puncture or tear. Oncethe bag is full, a means for securely closing and handling the bag isalso necessary. The present invention discloses such a device, providinga user with a unique collection bag that improves current collectiondevices and methods used to load and remove debris, refuse and fallenleaves from an area.

Devices have been disclosed in the art describing various modificationsand alternatives to the leaf collection bag, as well as means formaintaining its opening. These patents describe bags with free-standingopenings and reinforced material. Those with free-standing openingsinclude metal inserts, drawstrings or other semi rigid devices that areplaced within a hem along the rim of a bag to maintain its opening.While these devices are useful for keeping the opening ajar, they failto stabilize the base of the opening, which is vital when raking leavesinto the bag along the ground.

Still other devices in the art describe those which employ a drawstringclosure and a collapsible structure. These devices are useful forstoring empty bags and for closing bag contents; however they lack anyimprovement that would aid in the collection of leaves.

The most relevant devices with respect to the present invention includeU.S. Pat. No. 3,135,984 to Henke and Published U.S. Patent ApplicationNo. 2002/0110289 to Fishman. The Henke patent describes an improved leafcollection device comprising a container opening that is openlysupported and staked into the ground surface. This provides a stableopening for the placement of leaves with a rake or broom. The Fishmanapplication likewise describes a leaf bag device that utilizes stakes tocontrol the opening of the bag. Both of these devices utilize similarmeans for stabilizing the bag opening, but fail to combine severaluseful elements that are necessary to effectively collect, handle andtransport a large quantity of leaves.

The present invention is a leaf collection device that is both durablein construction and provides an improved means for loading contents intoits opening. The bag is comprised of a tarpaulin material that is bothstrong and waterproof. This material is a woven laminate material thathas a high tensile strength and is puncture resistant. Along the openingof the bag is a plurality of grommets and an interlaced drawstring forclosure means. The grommets allow a stake to be driven therethrough andinto the ground, securing the base of the bag against the ground whileleaves are being loaded. Handles along the exterior of the bag allow auser the ability to easily carry the bag after it has been loaded,reducing strain the user while organizing the bags after leafcollection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofleaf collection bags now present in the prior art, the present inventionprovides a new leaf collection bag wherein the same can be utilized forproviding convenience for the user when loading leaves and other debrisinto a bag for disposal.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bag witha plurality of anchoring grommets along its opening to secure theopening to the ground surface.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bag comprised ofa high strength tarpaulin material that is resistant to puncture ortearing when loaded with debris.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bag with adrawstring for closure means and exterior handles for improved handlingof a fully loaded bag.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the present invention in its workingposition.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the present invention in an upright, loadedconfiguration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of thepresent invention in its working position, wherein the bag opening 11 issecured to a ground surface using a plurality of stakes 15 that areplaced through grommets along the rim 16 of the bag. In thisconfiguration, the base of the opening 11 remains stationary as leavesand debris are pushed into the bag and through the opening 11. Thefriction of overpassing debris and contact with a rake or tool isreacted by the stakes 15, eliminating any motion that could close thebag opening 11. Exterior handles 13 are provided along the outer surfaceof the bag to improve handling while the bag is in its working positionand after it has been loaded with contents.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a side view of the presentinvention in a loaded configuration. A quantity of leaves is placedthrough the bag opening 11 and the bag has been lifted into an uprightconfiguration prior to closing the opening 11. The opening 11 is shutusing a drawstring 12 that is interlaced along the rim of the opening11. Grommets 14 along the rim provide attachment points for the groundstakes while the bag is being loaded. Handles 13 along the exterior ofthe bag provide improved handling of a loaded bag.

In use an individual places the bag on a ground surface and pushes aplurality of stakes through the grommets and into the ground. The baseof the bag opening is secured while contents are loaded. The bagmaterial is sufficient to allow the bag to remain open along its upperrim. The user may alternatively hold the upper portion of the openingwhile pushing contents therethrough, or he or she may hold one of thedrawstring loops to keep the opening ajar. Contents may then be forcedinto the bag, and further compressed against the closed end. The stakesprovide resistance to the compression, while the bag material is ofsufficient strength to likewise resist tearing or puncture.

The plurality of stakes and associated grommets provide an anchoringsystem for the rim of the bag opening, improving the current methods ofloading contents into a leaf bag. The stakes may be any suitable groundstake, including an elongated bar with a perpendicular bend at one end.The bend provides pull-through resistance while the shaft of the stakebears into the grommet. The drawstring along the opening provides theuser a convenient way of closing the bag has been filled.

The material of the bag may be any suitable tarpaulin material commonlyavailable or desirable to one skilled in the art. Its structure andlaminate properties must be sufficient to withstand appropriate loadingforces, and also be resistance to puncture from pointed objects andtools. The lamina may comprise of any appropriate water resistantplastic or a coated canvas. The draw string may similarly be chosen froma number of materials, including an elastic material or woven string.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

1) A leaf collection bag, comprising: a cylindrical bag with an open endand a closed end; a plurality of grommets aligned along said open end; adraw string interlaced around the perimeter of said open end; aplurality of handles along said bag exterior and on said closed end; aplurality of associated ground stakes for securing said open end to aground surface through said grommets; said bag comprised of a tarpaulinmaterial having rigidity sufficient to hold said open end of saidcylindrical bag open when it is secured to the ground. 2) A device as inclaim 1, wherein said tarpaulin material is a waterproof, plastictarpaulin. 3) A device as in claim 1, wherein said tarpaulin material isa coated cloth tarpaulin. 4) (canceled) 5) A device as in claim 1,wherein said ground stakes are L-shaped. 6) A device as in claim 1,wherein said ground stakes are T-shaped.